Remote release of ski binding

ABSTRACT

The manual release of a Ski-Binding is accomplished by Exerting a downward force on the “Heel-Release-Lever” of the Ski-Binding with skipole, ski or ski-boot. This manual release Can be difficult, inconvenient or dangerous under certain Conditions. For example after a fall, in deep snow, icy conditions Or other hazards. A remote release of the Ski-Boot from the Ski-Binding under these conditions is desirable. This invention will Accomplish this through the use of a magnetic force acting on the Heel-Release-Lever by remote control. Two modes of remote control are envisioned to initiate this action: 1) A wire connection which provides a current flow through the coil which exerts the force and is controlled by a remote push button. 2) A transmitter/receiver arrangement which controls the current flow through the coil via coded signals transmitted and received and initiated by a remote push button. Both arrangements provide the convenience that is necessary for a Save and fast release of the Ski-Boot from the Ski-Binding.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

(01) Ski Bindings are customarily released by manually pushing the HEAL RELEASE LEVER (BRL)—see FIG. 1—by inserting either a ski pole in a notch of the HRL and pushing down to release or using other means of pushing on the HRL, for example: by stepping on it with Ski boot or ski. This type of releasing the ski binding is difficult or in some instances impossible e.g. after a fall in deep snow, on very steep hills or extreme icy conditions. A Remote Release of the Ski Binding during any of the above mentioned circumstances will eliminate these difficulties and can be of great convenience.

(02) The invention, RRSB, is envisioned in two possible configurations:

-   -   Using a wire connection between a remote push button and the         actual release mechanism (see FIG. 1).     -   A wireless arrangement using a transmitter with push button to         originate the release. This transmitter sends a coded signal to         the receiver, which activates the release mechanism (see FIG.         2).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(01) Ski Bindings of present configuration are of mechanical nature in their engagement and release. The engagement is accomplished by stepping into the binding. The release can occur either through exertion, torque or other forces during a fall, or purposely by activating the HRL—see Purpose of the Invention (01).

(02) The engagement and release mechanics of the Ski-Binding employ springs and other mechanical gadgets to accomplish their functions and safety features.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to provide a safe and Convenient Method for releasing the Ski Binding under adverse Conditions. This is accomplished by using an Electro magnet, which is energized by a command either through a wire connection or through a remote signal by coded transmitter/receiver arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(01) The invention envisions two possible ways of executing a remote release of the Ski Binding as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 1, by energizing the Electro-Magnet to pull down the HRL by means of a wire-connection between the push button, the battery and the Electro Magnet. Or as shown in FIG. 2, by a wire-less arrangement with a battery/relay/receiver combination for energizing the Electro-Magnet and a transmitter to initiate the release by sending a coded signal to the receiver.

(02) The remote release through a wire connection is shown in FIG. 1 And represents the most basic and inexpensive arrangement. The wires themselves can be of flexible nature, therefore the battery and push button can be located near the ski boot or kept in a pocket. This simplifies the addition of an RRSB to any existing ski binding since it only requires mounting the Electro-Magnet and the mechanical attachment to the HRL. The initiation of a ski binding release requires pushing the remote push button, which causes a current to flow through the Electro-Magnet pulling the HRL downwards and releasing the ski-boot.

(03) The remote release through a wireless arrangement is shown in FIG. 2. This represents a more complex configuration and involves the transmission and reception of a coded signal. The transmission module contains the actual transmitter with signal coding, an antenna, and the push button to initiate the release and a battery for powering the module. The module for receiving the command to release contains the receiver with signal-decoder, an antenna, a relay to switch power to the Electro-Magnet and a battery for powering the module. The Electro-Magnet is mounted at the ski binding and mechanically connected to the HRL. This releases the Ski Boot when energized by a current flow.

The following steps accomplish the operation:

-   a) Pushing the button at the transmitter module causes a code     generator to feed a selected code to the transmitter. The     transmitter receives power from the battery and transmits the coded     signal via the antenna. -   b) The receiver is in a stand-by-mode and receives the coded signal     from its antenna. The decoder recognizes the signal as a command to     release the ski binding and switches the relay to provide a current     flow through the Electro-Magnet. The Electro-Magnet pulls the HRL     for releasing the ski-boot. 

1) What I claim as my invention is an Electro-Mechanical device, which releases the Ski Boot from the Ski-Binding by means of an electrical current flowing through the coil of an Electro-Magnet generating a Magnetic field. The Magnetic field forces a piston in the coil, mechanically attached to the release-mechanism of the Ski-Binding, to a position at or near the middle of the coil, as such pulling or pushing the release-mechanism of the Ski-Binding, in effect releasing the Ski-Boot from the Ski-Binding. 2) What I claim as my invention is the remote release of the Ski-Binding by a push-button which sends an electrical current through electrical wires and through the coil of the Electro-Magnet. The piston in the Electro-Magnet is pulled or pushed from its resting position to a position at or near the middle of the Electro-Magnet and with these motions pulls or pushes the release mechanism of the Ski-Binding causing it to release the Ski-Boot. 3) What I claim as my invention is the wireless remote release of the Ski-Binding by means of a transmitter and receiver arrangement, which initiates the release of the Ski Boot. The transmitter sends a signal, containing the code for the release of the Ski binding to the receiver. The receiver, which is located at or near the Ski-Binding, receives the signal and decodes the signal as a command to release the Ski-Boot from the Binding. The decoded signal initiates for a relay to become energized. The contact of the relay closes and a momentary current from the battery flows through the coil of the Electro-Magnet triggering the release of the Ski-Boot. 